This year marks the 15th anniversary of when Team McManus ran the 2009 Boston Marathon and raised $10,535 for Spaulding Rehab. It was a moment of redemption for me in the wake of the devastating diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006.
After Ruth Anne finished a project for her Masters Certificate in Corporate Communications and Marketing at BC, she suggested we go to South Boston for a walk along the beach. When we got to Boylston Street, Ruth Anne said, "Why don't we park. I'd love to walk around and see the Marathon happenings."
There were "No Parking" signs everywhere but we were able to manifest a parking space right around the corner from the Hynes Convention Center where the Expo will be held!
Our first stop was at Mother Juice, an indie owned shop that makes smoothies, Acai bowls and delicious healthy, nutritious snacks. We bought their blueberry muffin and energy bites to take home and Ruth Anne enjoyed the Green Dream. We took photos feeling the thrill and exhilaration of the energy that IS the Boston Marathon.
We remembered how incredible we felt taking that right on Hereford knowing the finish line would soon come into view.
Unlike 2009, there are now three blue lines to follow.
The BAA 5K will be taking place on Saturday. There were also No Stopping and No Parking signs in the area surrounding Copley Square from Thursday through next Tuesday. We are so fortunate to have a wonderful public transportation system to get in and out of town this weekend and to have manifested a parking spot on Wednesday.
We felt the thrill of taking that turn onto Boylston Street on 4/20/2009.
The Hynes Convention Center is ready to receive thousands of runners and spectators beginning on Friday!
What a magical moment to see this photo of Marathon Panda aka Maurice Lowman who is running for the Herren Project. You can hear his incredibly inspirational journey on the On the Runs Podcast Episode 63.
Boston is in full bloom on Boylston Street!
The magical mystical mythical symbol of the Boston Marathon - the Unicorn!
Ruth Anne: (Gently tugs at my arm) "Come on mom. We've got to go into Marathon Sports. It's our Boston Marathon Tradition."
Me: "Sure okay!"
Me observing woman stacking cowbells in her arms
"Excuse me. May I ask who you are buying those for?"
Woman: "Sure it's for my team. I work for a biomedical company that helps trauma victims with our product. There's a runner who benefited from our product and we're here to cheer him on. He's amazing. He just ran Tokyo."
Me: "Um is that Jared?"
She was as shocked as we were. "How do you know him?"
Ruth Anne shared that Jared and I were each guests on the On the Runs podcast. She had no idea he had been on the podcast. I mentioned that we'd not yet met in person but were planning a meet up during the weekend. We chatted about Jared's medical miracle thanks to the product made by her company! Alicia had one of the Marathon Sports staff take our photo. We all said what a blessing it was to meet! Listen to Jared's On the Runs Podcast Episode 88. We each texted Jared about the amazing synchronicity that brought us together in that moment at Marathon Sports. Jared texted back, "Omg that is incredible! The good vibes are syncing up."
Let the magic of the Unicorn begin!
In health and wellness,
Mary
Visit my website
to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go
farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and
Events Page with links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and
where you can find my incredibly inspirational story. My interview with the amazing On the Runs podcast team of Erika Hamel and Eric Knuuttunen is Episode 56. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.
My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon
***COMING MAY 25, 2024*** "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" Book Release Party 6/3 7-8pm at Livite Brookline in Washington Square
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